The Seahawks dominated the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs Saturday night, punching their first ticket to the NFC Championship Game since 2014.
Seattle will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. PT.
Here’s what the national media had to say about Saturday’s blowout win.
CBS Sports: Kenneth Walker III and Sam Darnold were big winners
Garrett Podell writes: “Kenneth Walker is set to become a free agent this offseason, and his stock couldn’t be any higher after his performance in the divisional round. He amassed 145 yards from scrimmage (119 rushing and 29 receiving) and three rushing touchdowns in a winning effort. He joined 2005 NFL MVP running back Shaun Alexander as the only players in Seahawks history with at least three rushing touchdowns in a playoff game. Walker is primed to cash in come March.
“Sam Darnold was a late addition to the Seahawks’ injury report on Thursday, the last day of practice ahead of the divisional round, as a limited practice participant with an oblique injury. Come game time, he seemed completely unaffected by the injury and the 49ers’ defense. Darnold played an efficient brand of football, connecting on 12 of his 17 throws for 124 yards and a touchdown. With an extra day of rest ahead of the NFC Championship on Jan. 25, Darnold could be back to full strength when Seattle returns to action with a trip to Super Bowl LX on the line.”
Yahoo Sports: Seahawks defense ‘enthralling to watch’
Nate Tice says: “The Seahawks defense is just unbelievable with what they were doing to this team. (San Francisco QB) Brock Purdy was running for his life and running for any type of light that he could see throwing-wise … Purdy’s average time to throw was 4.24 seconds, which is the longest mark by any quarterback with at least 10 passes in the Next Gen Stats era, so that’s at least since 2016 including playoffs. (Purdy was just running around trying to find something because the Seahawks were snuffing it all out.”
Charles McDonald says: “Have you guys ever seen a boxscore statline that looks like it hurts? … If you look at design runs, and I pulled out garbage time, the 49ers had 18 carries for 47 yards on design carries. 18 carries for 47 yards. Dude, (the 49ers) went home with bruises that day. Christian McCaffrey had 11 carries for 35 yards, just absolutely stuffed into a locker. It is the kind of dominance that is enthralling to watch. Every single play, dudes are getting tossed … This defense, they are so keyed in. Obviously, (Seahawks head coach) Mike Macdonald gets a lot of credit, as he should because he has been the mastermind behind this, but the players are absolutely incredible.”
NBC Sports: Seahawks kept it simple vs. 49ers and it worked
Chris Simms says: “Your common sense would be like, ‘No way a defense could do that to (49ers head coach) Kyle Shanahan two times in a row, just a few weeks apart.’ … But when I watched (the film of the Week 18 game, which Seattle won 13-3) back, it totally changed my thoughts. I went, ‘It doesn’t matter what kind of game plan (Shanahan) comes up with here.’ Seattle played it simple. It’s not like they overplayed certain things and took chances. (The Seahawks) kind of played basic in that Week 18 matchup, and it looks like they did that again. They don’t need to reinvent the wheel … They just go, ‘We’re so freaking good, so bring it. We’re going to be simple, and we still don’t think you can do anything about it.’”
The Ringer: Mike Macdonald is ‘NFC West’s New Scheme Lord’
Steven Ruiz writes: “Macdonald’s defense can come off as this complex scheme built on coverage disguises and designer blitzes, but the key element is how organized it all is. Next time you watch Seattle play, study the pre-snap communication between players. They’re constantly communicating, and every adjustment by the offense triggers even more conversation. The Seahawks don’t play a wide variety of coverages, but the players can make adjustments to account for whatever the offense throws at them.”
Sports Illustrated: Seahawks’ special teams might make them the most complete roster left
Gilberto Manzano writes: “While (Rashid) Shaheed has had quiet outings as a receiver for Sam Darnold (only 15 catches for 188 yards and no touchdowns), he has provided a spark on special teams and his elite speed has given Darnold beneficial starting positions. Shaheed returned the opening kickoff against the 49ers 95 yards for a touchdown, which turned out to be the only points the Seahawks needed in the 41–6 victory. That electric play brought back memories of Harvin’s 87-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff of the second half against the Broncos in the Super Bowl. In Week 16, Shaheed had a 58-yard punt return touchdown to spark the rally against the Rams. Heading into championship Sunday, the Seahawks could be the most complete among the four remaining teams because of what Shaheed has provided on special teams, which also has a standout kicker in Jason Myers.”